I read this the other day, “Success is no longer a teacher after the age of 30. You only learn from failure”. Standing right on the precipice of 30, that stood out to me.
I’m back to taking college classes again, still trying to cram four years of college into ten. I’m back at the ole Alma Mater, Polk State. Soar Eagle Soar! This semester, I’m taking College Algebra for the 4th time. Yes, you read that correctly, I’ve taken and failed College Algebra 3 times already.
As I’m going through the course work I can still remember where I was when I was learning the same sections years ago. I can also remember at what sections I dropped the class…
In my previous three attempts, I decided to drop the class for a number of different reasons. I’d fail on a test and I’d use that to convince myself I couldn’t do it. I’d fail to do my class work so I fell behind or I’d convince myself I was too busy and I should take in during an easier semester. Each occasion is mark by a much larger systematic failure inside myself… A failure to believe that I could pass the class.
I have a friend named Daniel Bird. Daniel was the child of two missionaries living in South Africa. Daniel was an extraordinary soccer player. So good, he not only played in college but also had a decent run in the USL. After his playing career was over, he started coaching. Bouncing around a bit before landing in Louisville with the USL club there, being the assistant coach behind James O’Connor. After winning the USL in 2017, James and the coaching staff got the opportunity to coach in the MLS at Orlando City.
Not long after his arrival the team announced a major signing, Luis Nani. Luis was in the twilight of his career but in his prime, he was fixture in the starting lineup for his home country of Portugal’s national team and a key contributor on Manchester United.
During a particularly rough stretch in the season, Daniel asked me if I wanted to play golf. I figured when he asked me to golf, he wanted to blow off some steam… When he finished a 6 pack in the parking lot and loaded a 24 pack into our cart, I knew he needed to blow off some steam.
After a couple of awkward holes, I asked off handedly “man what’s it like to coach Luis Nani??”
He looked across the cart at me and said
“What the fuck do I have to teach Luis Nani?”
“Uh” I was stunned by the shift in tone.
“Everyday, I’m surrounded by guys who are playing at a higher level than I ever dreamed of playing. There’s no coaching” Daniel said while finishing his 12th Heineken of the hour.
“So, what do you do?” I asked nervously
“I yell when we lose. I yell when they make mistakes. I yell when they’re slow. Hell, I yell about old shit they did wrong previously in their career. At this point, there is no more teaching… only motivating”
“Does yelling at the players work?” I asked
“It does for the good ones” he replied.
In the moment, I laughed to myself and thought “obviously it isn’t, you aren’t winning”. But looking back on it, I understand what he meant. The players that listen when confronted with their mistakes will get better. Those who ignore it or get pissed off, don’t. It’s simple.
We are to the point in the season where you’ve got an idea on how your team is doing. Are you doing well? Are you doing poorly? How will you respond to winning? How will you respond to losing?If you’re winning, do you set back, let it ride and hope the chips fall in your direction? If you’re losing will you pack it up, mute the chat and ignore the app or will you be better?
I personally don’t have a great track record but, knowing myself the way I do, I’ll give Mitchell another opportunity to respond to failure soon and… I’m sick and tired of losing.
Jarro Vs Papa Tim
Don’t look now, but Jarro without CMC is 4-1 but even more impressively he’s second in total Points For. Now he’s getting CMC back?! Holy balls. This summer I made and shared a playlist titled “Michael Pittman Jr for a 1st?” as a joke… turns out it wasn’t. Michael Pittman and Carson Wentz have a Ruth/Naomi esque relationship. I imagine Wentz as Ruth btws.
Don’t look now, but Timbo and his lovable band of youngsters is coming around. Timmy is 4-1 AND THIRD IN POINTS.
DONT LOOK NOW BUT THIS IS A MATCHUP OF TWO TOP THREE TEAMS
Here are my big questions of the matchup.
- Miles Gaskin. Is he a startable? He did the bulk of his scoring receiving which makes me nervous.
- Is CMC a full go?
- Is Thelin done? He’s been TD dependent for awhile now, but now that the TDs have dried up there isn’t much left.
- DeAndre Swift. He’s boomed on odd weeks and busted on even weeks. It’s week 6.
Complete toss up after Thursday night, give me Josh Allen to score 1 billion on Monday Night and the Landsharks to gut out a win. (wrote that when CMC had a chance of playing & Chubb was playing)
GIVE ME TIMBO BABY!!! BEST TEAM IN THE LEAUGE NEVER DOUBTED
Mason vs Derek
Derek’s team has been at 2020 Max levels of dominance through the first couple weeks. Leading the league in scoring. Winning games. Not a worry in the world.
Not so fast my friend.
Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Fantasy football is an ever evolving nightmare of “I thought that guy was good but now he’s not”. Can Derek’s team score enough to win a championship? Or course. Can Derek manage his way to a championship? Yet to be seen.
Mason can/has managed his way to a championship before and he might have to do something special to pull one out this week. Tyreek might not play BUT enter Julio Jones from stage right, wearing a cape and ready to score 30 because I traded him.
I think it will be close on a heroic effort from Kyler Murray against the Browns (poor Cleveland, can’t catch a scheduling break). But give me Derek to win…
I haven’t said no to that face in 21 years and I’m not starting now. (Also, holy shit Derek our friendship is old enough to buy alcohol)
Jake vs Caleb
*Speaks into microphone*
“I’d like to apologize for my actions against Jake and the JT’s. *begins to cry* I only wanted to help. I thought Jake and I could become best friends forever… wear Michigan jerseys and you know… paint each other’s nails like Michigan fans do. But that’s all ruined now. I’ll never forgive Jalen Reagor”
Welp, good news for the JT’s, Russell Wilson is hurt and I’m pretty sure Russ has accounted for 2/3rds of Caleb’s points over the past 3 seasons.
It’s gonna be close, both teams NEED a win to stay in the playoff picture much like Clemson needs wins to stay bowl eligible.
Give me the JT’s in a close one.
Ben vs Max
This matchup is very similar to the Caleb vs Jake matchup. Two teams on the playoff bubble that need to win.
Ben’s team has some nice pieces. Mike Williams, Amari Cooper and Mr fall-in-the-endzone himself… James Connor. Ben’s team is consistent. Only one week below 100 and it was a 96. Add that to the list titled “things we like to see”
Poor Max. Teams all banged up. Couple swings and misses on trades and then just like that… you’ve got a 12% chance of making the playoffs. You need a couple “32-30 wins against Nebraska”. The type of wins you aren’t proud of but it keeps you alive. If you stay within playoff reach you could easily make it in when healthy. The question is… will you get a chance? Or be in too deep of a whole to dig out.
It’s gonna be close and I want to pick Max but, if I had to bet money… give me the Kracken.
Logan vs Hanna
Have you ever seen the TV show “the good place?” It’s a show about heaven and the first season is really good. Highly recommend. But in the show when you die and regain consciousness you’re in a green room with the phrase “Everything is fine” written on the wall in white.
I say all that to say, Logan paint “everything is fine” on your wall and stare at it until you start winning every game like we all know you will.
Hanna’s team is on a rollercoaster… but like just the down part. And every time you think it should start going back up, it just goes down deeper. Teams got enough star power to withstand some early season losing but just like Max, how deep we gonna let that hole get before you start climbing out?
I’d prefer to not pick this game, but since you’re making me and I still have this saved in my clipboard…
GIVE ME THE LEGION!*
*this message was copied from week 1*
Mitchell vs Adam
Not that I think ESPN’s “playoff percentage” is gospel or anything but Adam’s only at a 49% chance of making the playoffs?? That seems odd to me. It’s a good team! Young RBs, a good QB/ WR stack. Idk why ESPN hates you.
Armed with the knowledge of how Thursday night went, things aren’t looking great for Adam. What he’s got going for him is JT against Houston and Javante against Las Vegas (look for Vegas to come out motivated and win that game tho). Should be positive game scripts for both.
After 1 win, the Lobos are back baby! I’ll do my Austin Ekler is a top 5 RB victory dance later.
With how Thursday went for Adam, it’s gonna be tough for him to win this one BUT NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND the lobos have laid some eggs this season already so it’s not a sure thing. But… NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND
Give me the lobos!
The MFL 